Summary translation

Two sheep for meat flocks on OF are compared in experimental farm, carried out according two contrasted managements of the reproduction: 3 lambings over 2 years (accelerated system) or one lambing per year (“grass system”). Their technical and economic performances are analysed and compared to these of private farms. In the accelerated system, the numerical productivity is slightly higher (+6%: 161 vs 152 on average over 3 years) but, even when the difference is high (year 2002: 193 vs 152), the gross margin per ewe is not much higher (90€ vs 86) because of high production costs: the concentrates achieve 178kg/ewe (+58%) with a price 60% higher than on conventional farming. Moreover, the results are much tended and irregular in this system. The “grass” system, less intensive for the animal, is the illustration of a compromise between high level of animal performances and the mastery of feeding costs with the maximisation of fodder resources use.